Business on Board trains professionals in nonprofit board service and matches them with arts and culture nonprofits seeking board candidates. With a comprehensive program led by local experts in the sector, participants are equipped with the knowledge, strategies, and tools to maximize their effectiveness and understanding of board leadership. Professionals seeking to serve on a board and those already serving on a board are welcome to participate.

Why choose this program?

1. You’re passionate about arts and culture and seek a board service curriculum tailored to that sector.
2. You’re serious about joining a nonprofit board. Our program is the only one in the area that can nearly guarantee a board election after program completion. Plus, we offer continued support through the election process.
3. You serve on a nonprofit board and want to hone your board skills. Bring your learnings back to your organization as a resource to strengthen the board’s leadership.
4. You’re looking to broaden your community and network. Connect with 50 professionals in the cohort and receive special networking and educational opportunities as alumni.
5. Our sliding scale rates are competitive and accessible given the depth of the curriculum and unique board election component.

How companies (and your employer) benefit from Business on Board.

1. Increased visibility for the company. Employees are appointed to public leadership positions and engage with new audiences as a nonprofit board member and with ABC’s network.
2. Increased community engagement. Companies demonstrate their support of volunteerism and giving back to the local community.
3. Increased leadership skills and confidence for employees through professional development training.

The Business on Board participant cohort is a diverse mix of approximately 50 professionals per season. Most participants are from the private sector and have had limited engagement with the arts and culture nonprofit sector. While the curriculum serves as an introduction geared toward business professionals, individuals from all career levels and across sectors will benefit from the curriculum.

Observership Component

The observership component serves two purposes: 1) ABC hopes it will lead to an official elected board position; and 2) It supplements the Business on Board curriculum by applying learnings in the field with an arts and culture board. ABC conducts a thorough evaluation based on the skills and interests of both parties to identify compatible matches between organizations and participants. Once participants are introduced to an organization, they receive individual support as they learn about and engage with the organization and consider becoming a board member. Participants receive further support as they become part of Business on Board’s network of over 900 alumni. Observerships may last a few months to over a year depending on the circumstance.

Schedule and Structure

The Business on Board curriculum is a hybrid format over 5 weeks from January through February 2024. The format includes a blend of participatory sessions and recorded webinars that can be viewed anytime. Participants should plan to be fully present for the entire program, including attending/viewing all sessions in full, completing prework assignments and actively engaging with facilitators and the cohort throughout the program.

Week 1 | Set the Stage
In-Person Participatory Session, Tuesday, January 9, 9:00 – 12:00PM (8:30AM Breakfast | 12:00 Informal Lunch)
Virtual Recorded Webinar, Thursday, January 11, 3:30 – 5:00PM

Week 2 | Refining Roles and Responsibilities
Virtual Participatory Session, Tuesday, January 16, 8:00 – 10:00AM
Virtual Recorded Webinar, Thursday, January 18, 3:30 – 5:00PM

Week 3 | Inclusive Growth and Accountability
In-Person Participatory Session, Tuesday, January 23, 9:00 – 12:00PM (8:30AM Breakfast | 12:00PM Informal Lunch)
Virtual Recorded Webinar, Thursday, February 25, 3:30 – 5:00PM

Week 4 | Leverage Your Presence and Network
Virtual Participatory Session, Tuesday, January 30, 8:00 – 10:00AM
Virtual Recorded Webinar, Thursday, February 1, 3:30 – 5:00PM

Week 5 | Individual and Collective Impact
In-Person Participatory Session, Thursday, February 8, 12:00 – 5:00 PM (11:30AM Lunch Served)
In-Person Alumni Reception, 5:00 – 7:00PM

Observership Check Ins
Virtual Participatory Session, Wednesday, May 29, 9:30 – 10:30AM
Observership check ins are scheduled every other month for those in current observerships. While check ins are optional, they are highly recommended to gain the most out of the board observership experience.

Please see the Arts + Business Council’s website for more information about Business on Board.

Program Fees

Large Businesses (>50 employees) Sponsoring Employees
1. $2,700 (Chamber Non-Member $3,000) – With a Board Match
2. $1,300 (Chamber Non-Member $1,500) – Curriculum Only

Small Businesses (<50 employees) Sponsoring Employees
1. $1,800 (Chamber Non-Member $2,000) – With a Board Match
2. $900 (Chamber Non-Member $1,000) – Curriculum Only

Business Professionals Paying Out of Pocket or Self Employed
1. $900 (Chamber Non-Member $1,000) – With a Board Match
2. $675 (Chamber Non-Member $750) – Curriculum Only

Nonprofits ($5M->$10M Budget) Sponsoring Current Board or Staff Members
1. $900 (Chamber Non-Member $1,000) – With a Board Match
2. $675 (Chamber Non-Member $750) – Curriculum Only

Nonprofits (<$1M-5M Budget) Sponsoring Current Board or Staff Members
1. $720 (Chamber Non-Member $800) – With a Board Match
2. $540 (Chamber Non-Member $600) – Curriculum Only

Nonprofit Professionals Paying Out of Pocket
1. $630 (Chamber Non-Member $700) – With a Board Match
2. $500 – Curriculum Only